"You 'll understand, my recreant tool," Lillibulero, old Uncle Sam, "You 're to submit, and we are to rule," Lillibulero, old Uncle Sam. "Lero, lero, are n't you a hero! are n't you a hero!" Says old Uncle Sam, "Lero, lero, fillibustero, are n't you a hero!" Says old Uncle Sam. "If to these terms you fully consent," Lillibulero, old Uncle Sam, "I'll be perpetual King-President," Lillibulero, old Uncle Sam. "Lero, lero, take your sombrero, off to your swamps!" Says old Uncle Sam, "Lero, lero, fillibustero, cut, double-quick!” Says old Uncle Sam. The cluster'd spires of Frederick stand Fair as the garden of the Lord To the eyes of the famish'd rebel horde, On that pleasant morn of the early fall, When Lee march'd over the mountain-wall,— Over the mountains winding down, Forty flags with their silver stars, Flapp'd in the morning wind: the sun Up rose old Barbara Frietchie then, Bravest of all in Frederick town, She took up the flag the men haul'd down; In her attic window the staff she set, Up the street came the rebel tread, Under his slouch'd hat left and right "Halt!"-the dust-brown ranks stood fast "Fire!"-out blazed the rifle blast. It shiver'd the window, pane and sash; Quick, as it fell from the broken staff, Dame Barbara snatch'd the silken scarf. She lean'd far out on the window-sill, And shook it forth with a royal will. "Shoot, if you must, this old gray head, But spare your country's flag," she said. A shade of sadness, a blush of shame The nobler nature within him stirr'd "Who touches a hair of yon gray head Dies like a dog! March on !" he said. All day long through Frederick street Sounded the tread of marching feet: All day long that free flag tost Ever its torn folds rose and fell And through the hill-gaps sunset light Vol. II. Barbara Frietchie's work is o'er, And the rebel rides on his raids no more, Honor to her! and let a tear Fall, for her sake, on Stonewall's bier. Over Barbara Frietchie's grave, Peace and order and beauty draw And ever the stars above look down |